Bombardier to cut up to 7,000 jobs but signs jet deal with Air Canada for 45 CSeries
Montreal-based Bombardier plans to cut its workforce by up to 7,000 people even as the company has finally signed a deal to sell its CSeries jets to a major North American airline. Bombardier said Wednesday up to 2,000 of the total cuts will be contractors.
Most of the job losses will be in Canada and Europe and be partly offset by hiring in certain areas, such as its new CSeries aircraft program. Worldwide, Bombardier currently has 3,450 people working in its CSeries division, a figure the company expects to rise as it ramps up sales and production.
The company has 64,000 employees globally. The aerospace and rail equipment company says the job cuts will begin in the coming weeks and be completed by 2017. Read more
Pacific Coastal Set to Capitalize on Low Canadian Dollar
British Columbia-based Pacific Coastal Airlines is hoping the low Canadian dollar will help to drive increased demand for its regular schedule and charter services in 2016.
“We’ve noticed an increase in group inquiries so far this year and that could be an early indicator of an upward trend in leisure travel bookings,” says Spencer Smith, Pacific Coastal Airlines’ Vice President of Commercial Services. “The high U.S. dollar exchange rate is certainly piquing interest in Canadian destinations south of the border and may also entice Canadian travelers to stay closer to home this year.”
The noticeable increase in leisure travel in the province began in 2014 and was quickly surpassed by a record 9.4 million visitors in 2015, including 8.3% more American visitors than the previous year, and so far there is no reason to believe that things will change as long as the current imbalance between the two dollars remains. Read more
Province re-affirms commitment to BC Aerospace in Budget 2016
The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada Pacific today thanked the provincial government for its continued support and investment in B.C.’s aerospace industry. By re-affirming the government’s 5-year, $5 million commitment, AIAC Pacific will continue to work with government and other partners to build a unified and sustainable aerospace cluster in B.C. Read more
BCAC Scholarships “Call for Nominations” now open
BC Aviation Council members recognize the financial pressures faced by students pursuing studies in aviation and aerospace, and the BCAC provides scholarships and awards for students on an annual basis.
Students actively pursuing studies in the following fields can apply for cash awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000:
• commercial pilot
• aviation maintenance
• airport operations
• private pilot
• flight instructor
WEEKLY PHOTO FEATURE BY BRADLEY FRIESEN
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